Marshall Amplification was founded in 1962 by Jim Marshall and his son Terry in Hanwell, London. Jim Marshall, a drummer and music shop owner, began building amplifiers in response to requests from local musicians seeking a louder, more affordable alternative to imported American gear. The first Marshall amp, the JTM45 (named for Jim & Terry Marshall), drew on the Fender Bassman circuit but delivered a distinctly British character—warm, harmonically complex, and capable of smooth, singing overdrive.

The brand's reputation grew rapidly through the late 1960s as guitarists including Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Pete Townshend, and Jimmy Page began playing through Marshall stacks. The "Plexi" series—named for their Plexiglas control panels—became defining instruments of the rock era, with models like the 1959 Super Lead producing the powerful, saturated tones that shaped hard rock. Marshall cemented its dominance in high-gain territory with the JCM800 series in 1981, which became a standard choice for hard rock and heavy metal players throughout the decade. The Silver Jubilee, released in 1987 to mark the brand's 25th anniversary, added another collectible chapter to the catalog.

The product line has since expanded well beyond those classic designs. The DSL (Dual Super Lead) series brought multi-channel flexibility and modern voicings to a wider audience, while the Origin series returned to simpler, vintage-leaning circuits. Marshall has also extended into consumer headphones and Bluetooth speakers, a record label, and a recording studio. The company owns Natal Drums, a British drum manufacturer. The main manufacturing facility has been based in Bletchley, England since the late 1960s.

Marshall has 747 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Combo Guitar Amplifiers, Guitar Amplifier Heads, and Guitar Amplifier Cabinets. Their gear is featured by 1792 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Metal, and Pop. Notable users include Andy Cairns, Angus Young, and Billie Joe Armstrong. Marshall's catalog spans the full price spectrum — from entry-level options to high-end flagships.